{"id":2000118680,"date":"2026-07-08T10:36:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T08:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000118680"},"modified":"2026-07-14T12:20:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:20:57","slug":"from-bbnaija-to-a-1b-ai-dream-why-dr-yerins-and-sarah-chose-rwanda-to-build-their-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/from-bbnaija-to-a-1b-ai-dream-why-dr-yerins-and-sarah-chose-rwanda-to-build-their-future\/","title":{"rendered":"From BBNaija to a $1B AI dream: Why Dr. Yerins and Sarah chose Rwanda to build their future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, that curiosity has evolved into a bigger mission: building artificial intelligence solutions from Africa with the ambition of creating a billion-dollar technology company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with his partner, Sarah Oba, a product manager turned software developer and tech entrepreneur, Yerins is building an AI startup in Rwanda while beginning a new chapter of their personal lives, including their engagement story that unfolded against the backdrop of the country\u2019s scenic landscapes in Bigogwe, Western Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/1bnew.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118686\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Yerins Abraham proposed to Sarah Oba in the beautiful landscape of Bigogwe. The engagement that made headlines in Nigeria.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IGIHE caught up with the couple at Noorsken House Kigali, where they are building their products. The couple spoke about their journey, their decision to move to Rwanda, their vision for AI, and how they are combining love and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Settling in Rwanda<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sarah, the idea of moving to Rwanda started with conversations about the country\u2019s growing reputation as a destination for technology and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She recalled being inspired after attending a conference where she met a Canadian friend who spoke highly of Kigali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe kept talking about how beautiful Kigali is,\u201d she said, adding that he told her Nigeria was great but that Rwanda was a place he would consider moving his family to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her interest grew after attending the Inclusive Fintech Forum held in March, where she encountered more conversations about entrepreneurs building businesses in Kigali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wanted something different, a place where I could grow my startups and businesses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After sharing the idea with Yerins, the couple decided to take the leap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1919\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/SnapInsta.to_656824624_17983575035992993_464399103055710806_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118689\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sarah was inspired to settle in Rwanda after attending a conference where she met a Canadian friend who spoke highly of Kigali.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Yerins, Rwanda quickly exceeded expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ve been here since and have never regretted it. Not even once,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He praised Kigali\u2019s cleanliness, organisation, security, and the welcoming nature of its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEverything feels organised. Security is excellent. There\u2019s also a strong sense of community and oneness here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Rwanda engagement story<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond business opportunities, Rwanda became the setting for one of the couple\u2019s most memorable moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yerins had always imagined proposing to the love of his life in a nature-filled location, perhaps somewhere in Europe. But after experiencing Rwanda\u2019s landscapes, Lake Kivu, wildlife, and the beauty of Bigogwe, he felt the country was the perfect place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI knew this was where I wanted it to happen,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Sarah organised a birthday photoshoot for Yerins at Lake Kivu, he secretly worked behind the scenes to make the moment special, coordinating with photographers and locals while keeping the plan hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The weather did not make things easy, with rain affecting the original plans, but the team worked to make the day memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Sarah turned around during what she thought was a birthday photoshoot, Yerins was on one knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was perfect,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yerins said the support from Rwandans made the experience even more special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe people of Rwanda were amazing throughout the planning. They were eager to help,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/1new.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118687\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The romantic mountaintop proposal occurred around Yerins&#8217; birthday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From mentorship to partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The couple\u2019s relationship started before Rwanda, after they met at Nigeria Fintech Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sarah initially approached Yerins for mentorship, but their conversations gradually developed into something deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI fell in love with his mindset, personality, and authenticity,\u201d she revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She saw a future where they could build, work, and achieve goals together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, that partnership extends beyond their personal lives into business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/SnapInsta.to_470241134_18472400074008814_9017863600790043287_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118693\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yerins Abraham competed on Big Brother Naija Season 6, which aired in 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Building Africa\u2019s next AI unicorn<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The couple\u2019s biggest professional ambition is rooted in artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through their company Creovine, they are developing AI-powered tools designed to help businesses automate processes and improve efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their products include Lyra, an AI customer support solution, and Brydg, an AI recruitment platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yerins believes Africa should not only consume technology created elsewhere but should also develop solutions that reflect the continent\u2019s realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re not just adopting foreign tools, we\u2019re building our own,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their goal is ambitious: to build a globally competitive technology company and potentially Africa\u2019s next billion-dollar AI unicorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe want to create globally used products built by Africans for African realities, culture, data, and context,\u201d Yerins said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1798\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/SnapInsta.to_471984394_18474324247008814_6672123999762685270_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118690\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Yerins is a trained medical doctor, but he says his curiosity led him toward technology<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The polymath journey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yerins\u2019 journey into technology is shaped by his diverse background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although he trained as a medical doctor, his curiosity pushed him toward technology, where he began exploring areas such as blockchain, fintech, and digital innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For him, medicine, technology, and art are connected by one common goal: solving problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m a very curious person,\u201d he said, explaining that his identity as a polymath allows him to explore different fields without limiting himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His appearance on Big Brother Naija helped introduce that mindset to a wider audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After leaving the show, he said people remembered him less for reality TV drama and more for his curiosity and knowledge-driven personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The experience opened doors to speaking engagements, meetings with business leaders, and opportunities to share his ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sarah\u2019s journey into tech<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sarah\u2019s path into technology began while she was still at university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She gained experience managing products, teams, and marketing before moving deeper into software development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She later launched an AI marketing agency in her early twenties. Although the venture did not succeed, she described it as a valuable learning experience that eventually led her to build her first software product, Uncut AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, she combines her experience in product management and software development to build AI solutions through Creovine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/SnapInsta.to_658425783_17983575044992993_4573179287045122559_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000118688\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Sarah poses for a photo at Kigali Convention Centre, a major venue for meetings, conferences and exhibitions.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Building together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running a company as a couple comes with challenges, but Yerins and Sarah say a shared vision keeps them focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They approach disagreements by prioritising the bigger mission over personal egos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe treat it as an \u2018us\u2019 thing,\u201d they said, highlighting communication, respect, and openness as important parts of working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As they continue building their company in Rwanda, the couple believes the country\u2019s innovation ecosystem offers a strong environment for young entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They see Rwanda not only as a place where they can build their lives together but also as a launchpad for technology solutions that can reach the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch the full conversation below to learn more about the couple\u2019s journey.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aOGGEgRfgEw\" title=\"$1B AI dream, choosing Rwanda and viral love story: BBNaija&#39;s Dr. Yerins &amp; Sarah exclusive\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Nigerian entrepreneur and medical doctor Yerins Abraham introduced himself to the world during the 2021 season of Big Brother Naija, he became known for a unique identity: a \u201cpolymath\u201d with interests spanning medicine, technology, and art.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000118694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[151,72],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000118680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-editors-choice","tag-featured-news-home","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000118694,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":886,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","width":886,"height":600},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","width":886,"height":600},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","width":886,"height":600},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","width":886,"height":600},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/07\/MixCollage-08-Jul-2026-10-17-AM-806.jpg","width":886,"height":600}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000118680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000118680"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000118680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000118716,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000118680\/revisions\/2000118716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000118694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000118680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000118680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000118680"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000118680"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000118680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}